Internal-combustion engine.



L.' V. LAURENTS. .INTERNAL COMBUSTION ENGINE. APPLICATION FILED IAN. I8. Isle.

, Patented Feb.2o,1917.

n I n Nro/Mfrs m V s a o `z L. V. LAURENTS. INTERNAL CMBUSTION ENGINE.

I *I APPLICATION FILED JAN.18. 1916. l 1,217,020. Peeeneed Feb. 20,1917.

2 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

M Me N Lon'rsvmson Latrnnnrs, onmixn .nn'rnnnaoiirsiana nssren'on 'or oren-FOURTH T0 FEED E. HEINEN, OF KANSAS CITY,1YII

' nrir'nnnsn-connnszrron anemia. l

' Application 'inea January larme.;serialnmaza?.

To atl whom it may concern Be it known that I, Louis V.' Lnunnn'rs, a citizen of the United States, and .aresldent of Lake Arthur, iny the parish of Jefferson Davis and State of Louisiana, have inventeda certain new and useful improvement-,in

7In'tei'nal-( lombustion Engines, of which the following is a specication. A.

My invention relates to 'an improvement incrank shafts for internalcoinbustion enginesand consists 'in the combmatIons,. a'r'- rangements, and construction of parte that n* will be hereinafter described and claimed.

The principal object of my invention 'is, l to provide a crank shaft -or an engine','

which is of such a constructionthat it may perform'the/functions of the usual fly-wheel and in doing so, to permit the' building and operating o wheel, omitd.

Another obj ect lies in the formation of ther crank shaft into divisionv plates Which'are located and rotate in the crank lcase of the i der engine embodying my improved crank' engine. The spaces between theA 4division plates form chbers to which' the Vgaseous mixture is fed 'and om which the u'el is drawn bythe iston which operatesin the cylinder over e chamber. v l 'v Another object lies inthe. combination with the crank shaft, fofl a fuel inletvalve eral types o crank shaft constructions. l @ther objectsand advantages'will become apparent in the following description,J ref- Figure 1 is anend view otarotary cy'lin shaft,

Fig., 2' is. a lengt-.unimi manner the crank case with the cylinders and all but the central connecting rod, omitted, Fig. 3 is a section Online 353 on JFig. 2, Fig. 4 is' a section on line 4-4 on Fig. 2, the as inlet being closed as when the piston ders 3 rest and are bolted. A piston le opthe engine with'the usual' ywhich co-actswith a certain one of the sev'-y hold the cra 1crates-in each. 'ofthe cylinders 3 and is pross'oUnn-nnn ONE-romain To wrnnrnmo. naman, or am Altmann. Louisiana.

i ISpecicatzvers Estant. l Patented Feb, 20, 1917.

end of the connecting rod having bearingon k the .coperating crank-pin 8 of the crank`60 body l0.

1t should be stated, that for the purposes of assembling the engine, the crank case 1 is provided with a removablelower portion ras is quite common in engine constructions` and as is shown in Fig. 5 of the draw'fing.` The peculiar construction of the crank case, as. will hereinafter be more fully explained,

will not .permit ofthe teles'copingy of the crank shaft into the crank case, and it there fore 4b ecomes necessary to remove the removable lower portion of the crank case, and

place the crank body into position, where- .upon' the lower portion of the crank case 'may be replaced and secured.

Each of the two forms of engines showni in the drawings are of the two-cycle type,

the one in Figs. land 4 being a rotary cyllinder vengine while the one in Figs. 5 and 6l is a stationary cylinder engine of theV-type. 'ln both types, the crank case l is circular in cross-'sectional shape so that the division ltionary and for-.the purpose of bolting l'it r'inly tov a support, the shaft is extended as .shown .in one place at 11, through which .boltsorother suitable securing means may plates 9' of thefcrank 10 may move against pass to a'xed support (not shown) and thus Ashaft from rotational movement. i

bearing on the laterally extended endsv of the y`crankl() as at l2 both of'these bearings 12loeing removable as indicated by the bolts. The crank case 1 is ,formed with a number of The cylinders 3 which `rotate around the crank `shaft-10 in Ithis' form, ,have suitable-'95 each one of the inner division plates 9 being grooved atfthe edge nearest one of thev ribs 13 so that a spring ring 14, may be in- 'sertecL The two outer ones of the division plates 9 are grooved at the outer edgesand' the rings 14 are inserted there.v

The spaces. between :the adjacent division plates9 form chambers intowhichacharge of gaseous fuel is discharged when' the piston is traveling its inward or compression stroke. The charge "of gas drawn linto the crank case 1 through the then alining gas inlet ports, is subsequently compressed during the outward or working strokeof the piston, the inlet port being then out of valinement as shown in Fig. 4c. When the'piston 4 nears the end of its outward stroke, the inlet port 27 is uncovered andthe then compressed gases inthe crank case 1 are transferred to the cylinder above, as indicated by the arrows in Fig. 4. The gas is fed to thespces through a valve 15 which rotates intermittently so as to bring one of its openingsl6 of which there vis one foreach space into registration with the duct 17 of a port 18 in each one of the division plates 9 `as shown in Fig. 2.

The crankpins y8 in. .this form are all in alinementv as is common in rotary cylinder engines, thev crank pins 8 and the plates 9 .as well as the lateral extensions 11 being cast en bloc; the extensions 11 are cored as shown to lessen the weight of the crank. Azbore 19 is formed -through the 'center 'of the alining crank pins 8 in which the valve 1,5 before mentioned, is locate d.`

The valve 15 whichfis hollow and closed.

at `its obuter end, has an annular. series of elongated slots some of which are constantly in, registration with the ,discharge tube 21 'manner indicated. f. f 4

3 is secured tothe closed of the carbu-rater 22. 'The carburetor 22 isy .of any approved design and supplies the gaseous. fuel. to the-engine cylinders 3 in the A"starwheel"2 `end of the valve I5 there being ive'points on .thestar` Wheel each one coperating with one oftheve cylinders'of the engine. The

` vpointsof the star wheel are successively en `gaged Aby the. pins 24:which'are driven in the edge `of. the rotating bearing number 12. As the crank case 1 rotates, the pins 24 Y strike vsuccesslveV ones of the star Wheel points thus causing the star wheel to rotate' 'intermittently and `tobring thel openings 16 in the..valve' 15 into registration with that .one of the ports 18 which is then in commu-- nication with that oneof the cylinders 3 to which a fresh charge is to be admitted.

As shown .inthe drawings, one of the` cylinders 3 in the rotary cylinder type, is mounted over eabh -one of the chambers just describedthe casing .lbeing slotted as at 25 to permit the passage of the connecting -rods7 of the various pistons. The connecting. rods 7 are joined with thef crank pins 8 by a.' bronze strap 26 whichis narrower than the 'end of the connecting rod. The purpose of making the strap 26 narrower is, to oblviate Vthe possibility of the How lof the ygas through .the adjoining port A18 bein obstructedwhenthe gas 1s to 'be a'dmitte into i the cylinder 3 whiclf is to be charged by that port.

The specific purpose of the bronze straps 26, is to leave room for a free passage of the incoming gas into the chamber between the partition plates 9 when the gas. inlet ports have moved into proper registration. If the strap 26was as wide as the 'headfof the .connecting rod 7, the free-passage vof the gas would be obstructed. The necessity of mak;

ing the strap 26 narrower, as just pointed out, may readily be .observed by reference toFig.2.'.

A. transfer port 27 connects. the crank case chamber with the .cylinder Sinto which .the compressed charge isinjected when the piston reaches the limit of its expansion stroke valve 15 is omitted. .The valve 15 is omitted.

because the engine' is ofthe three-port type as just explained butin engines ofv other types the valve may be located in the usual inletv manifold and operated in av similar manner as previously described;

When the inlet port 29 is uncovered by the lower portion .of thepiston 4 as shown in Flg. 5, a charge of gas is drawninto the crank case chamber from thesupply manifold.4 The charge then in the chamber will be compressed to a .certain degree by the pistonin -moving on its expansion stroke. When the limit of the expansion stroke is reached then -the `upper end ofthe iston will have uncovered the cylinder opening of the transfer port 27 and permitted the compressed charge to enter the cylinder 3 with the effects previously described. f vAs before stated, the crank- 10 differs from the crank in Fi 2 in that the crank pins 8 are positione cause the pistons to perform their variousy strokes in proper order.

crank rotates and the cylinders are stationary and since the'valve 15 is -omitted the ducts 17 and ports 18am-also omitted.

apart so asto In this form the A -flange 30 istprovided at one end of the extensions 11 of the .crank 10 to which a balance wheel may be bolted if it' is found necessary. In an engine wherethere are a greater number of cylinders, the crank 1Q iif will be heavy enough to dispense with the balancewheel but 1t maybe found necessary to adda light one in an engine of a fewv cylinders as in Fig. 6.

vThe operation of the device is asfl fol- 1,a17,cao

lovvs1n Fig. 2 the crank 10 is stationary and the crank case and cylinders revolve around it. The valve lwhich is located in bore 19 of the alining crank pins 8 is interg mittently rotated by the p1nsv24 on the crank case asth'ey strike the projections of the star wheel 23.

The action of the valve 15 is so timed that when one of the pistons 4 reaches the end of its outward stroke as in Fig. 4, then the yopening 16 which coperates with that parthe ribs 13 preventthe leakage of the gas in any particular one of the chambers, inte the next one. v In Flg. 6 the crank revolves and the crank A case 1 remains .stationary the action of the crank pins 8 which are stationed'cn the uarters of the' circle being to reciprocate t e pistons 4 as explained before. A chamber is formed between each division plate 9 into which chamber the gas is' fed from the passageways 29 of the supply manifold.'

The as is transferred fromthe crank case cham erto' the cylinder in the manner previously explained.

Obviously modifications in the structural arrangements of thecrank shaft may' be 4made Without departing from the spirit of the invention or the scope of the claims.

I claim 1. ln an internal combustion engine, the

combination of the cylinders andjthecrank l case, said 1 case having slots in counication with the cylinders and crank case, a

crank body located in the crank case and having a plurality of gas chambers, crank pins on the crank body, pistons located in the cylinders, connecting rods joining Ithe pistons and the respectivecrank pins y"the connecting rods passing through the crank case slots, means for admitting gas te the gas chambers, and means for transterring the gas from the chamber to the cylinder above the piston.l

Y 2. inv an internal combustion engine, 'the combination of a crankcase having a bore' circular in cross section, a plurality of'ribs depending internally from the bore of the crank case, a crank-body located inthe bore of the case Land having a plurality of'divi sien lates spaced apart to form gas chambers etween them, the plates being adapted to contact with the ribs, crank pins joining .the division plates, bearing'members entending from eachend ,ofthe crank body and; having bearing on the crank case, and.

neans for admitting gas to the gas chamers.

3. In an internalcombustion engine, the combination of the crank case having a circase and consisting of a plurality of circular division plates spaced apartto form gas chambers, crank pins joining adjacent ones of the division plates, said pins being in longitudinal alinement and having abore therethrough, means cooperating. with the cular bore, a crailk body locatedp in therrank crank pin bore for admitting gas 'to'qtherespective gas chambers, and means for rendering the gas chambers gas-tight.

4. In an internal combustion engine, the

combination of the crank case having a circular bore, a crank body located in the crank case and consisting of a plurality' of circular division -plates spaced apart to form gas chambers each of said division plates having a portand a duct, crank pins joining' combination of the crank case havinga circular bore and pins at one end, a circular crank body fitted into said bore the body consisting of a plurality of division plates spaced apart to. form gas chambers between them each of the said plates having a duct and'a port, crank pins joining adjacent ones ot the division plates, said pins being in longitudinal alinement and having a bore therethrough said bore communicating with the ducts, a hollow valve located in the crank pin bore, said valve having an annular series of gas inlet slots and an opening for each one of the ducts in the division plates, said openings being in staggered relationship, a star 'Wheel secured to the end of Ithe valve adjacent yto the pins on the crank case,

said pins being adapted to strike the points bore and consisting ot a plurality of circue lar division plates spaced apart to form gas chambers between them, each of said plates having-a port and a duct and 'a circumferential groove at one edge the crank having bearing sleeves adapted to rotate inthe aforesaid bearing'members, packing rings lfitted in each one ofthe grooves and contacting. with the crank case and ribs, crank pins 'joining adjacent ones of the division plates said pins being in'longitudinal alineioc ment and having a 'bore therethrough said bore counicating with the ducts, a ho1l low gas valve located in the crank pm borev havingl an annular series of gas openings in vcommunication with a source of gas supply, said valve having annular openings adaptedl to register with the respective ones of the ducts as the valve .is rotated, rand means for intermittentlyrotating the valve.

. 7. In -an internal combustion engine, a*

,circular crank case, cylinders mounted on the crank case, said crank case being`- slotted,

a piston in each cylinder', each4 cylinder hav-4 ing communication withl the crank case through a transfer port, a crank body having a plurality of spaced division plates to. form a chamber in the 'crank case for each cylinder, each division plate having' a port and a duct, a crank pin joining adjacent ones of the division plates, the pins beingy in alinement and havlng a bore there. through, said bore communicating with the ducts, a connecting .rodbetweeny the pistons and the crank pins, said rods pro "e`cting` through the slots )in the crank case, a ollon,7 gas valve located in 'thecrank .pin bore, said valve *having an annular serles of gas inlet slots and afplurality yof openings in"stag y8. In an ,internal combustion engine, a circular crank case, a cylinder mounted on the case and having a reciprocating piston therein, a.' crank bodyT located within the crank case, the crank body being formed of spaced division plates and having a gas duct h comin'11ni catin,f,1,r with the space between the p1ates,`a crank pin joining the adjacent ones of the plates, a connecting,` rod extending between the crank pin andthe piston, a strag secured to the end of .the connecting` ro and inclosingl the crank pin, said strap be' ing disposed adjacent to the duct opening and narrowerthan the connecting rod head to provide a gas passage from the duct.

9. ln an internal combustion engine, of

the rotary cylinder type, a rotating crank case having bearing extensions, pins secured at intervals to one of the extensions, a stationary crank body located inthe crank case the body being subdivided into a plurality of'spaced partition plates to' form gas chambers, said plates having; gas ports, crank pins joining the plates of the crank and having a bore therethrough, a -hollow gas valve located inthe bore said valve having` gas ports, and a star wheel secured to lthe end ofthe valve and adjacentv to the pins,` said star wheel being rotated step by step as successive pins strike the successive points of the star wheel to move the ports in. the crank and valve in registration at proper interals.

,- yLOUS VNSON LAURENTS, 

